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Insoles for Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction

Did you know that pain in your feet and ankles could be stemming from a tear in your posterior tibial tendon?

Here, we discuss the various symptoms of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction and highlight the important role that OrthoSole insoles can play in the recovery from, and prevention of, this common problem.

What is posterior tibial tendonitis?

Sometimes referred to as posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, this condition occurs when the tendon that attaches the calf muscle to the bones on the inside of the foot becomes torn and inflamed.

 

This tendon is responsible for holding up the arch of the foot during movement. If it is weakened or damaged, it will fail to support the arch, leading the foot to collapse flat.

 

People with posterior tibial tendonitis often report pain in the inside of the foot and the ankle, along with accompanying swelling. The pain gets worse during activity. When the foot collapses, the heel bone may start to put extra pressure on the bone that sits on the outside of the ankle, leading to extra discomfort in this area, too.

What causes it?

Acute trauma can cause a tear in the posterior tibial tendon, as can placing too much strain on it through exercise.

You are at particularly high risk of damaging your posterior tibial tendon if:

  • You are over 40 years of age
  • You are overweight or obese
  • You suffer from diabetes and/or hypertension
  • You regularly take part in high impact sports

How can it be treated?

Tendon injuries respond best to rest! We know that having to stop taking part in your usual activities can be frustrating – but, if you’ve caught it early enough, the tear will heal much faster if you swap high impact exercise for those that place less pressure on your feet, like cycling and swimming.

 

Placing ice packs on the tendon for up to 20 minutes at a time several times a day will provide immediate relief and keep the swelling down. Anti-inflammatory medication will also take the edge off your pain (but should only ever be considered a short-term solution). Strengthening the tendon through specialist physical therapy is also advised. 

 

If your symptoms are more severe or have been ongoing for weeks and months as opposed to days, your doctor may recommend steroid injections or surgery.

 

One simple move could keep these extreme interventions at bay, though. Wearing orthotic insoles in your everyday shoes will deliver targeted support to your feet and minimise shock to the rest of your musculoskeletal system, including your tibial tendon.

Try OrthoSole’s insoles for posterior tibial tendon dysfunction

Any one of our insoles can be used to treat and manage the symptoms of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. These products have been specifically designed to provide extra cushioning not only to the arches of your feet, but also to the metatarsals, which play a crucial part in optimal weight distribution and protecting the ball of the foot from further damage.

For maximum benefit we recommend purchasing our Max Cushion for your Trainers & Work Boots (shoes with that bit of room) and then our Thin Style for your tight fitting / formal shoes. No matter what shoes you wear making sure the support is there!

All OrthoSole insoles are supplied with a range of Light, Medium and Firm support pads for both the arches and metatarsals, meaning they are completely self-customisable. You can adjust the pads as you need to – and if your needs change, they can be switched around in a matter of seconds!

Not sure which of our insoles will best meet your requirements? Click to learn more about the differences between our products.

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We use cookies to help improve our services, make personal offers, and enhance your experience. If you do not accept these optional cookies your experience may be affected. If you want to know more, please read the Cookies Policy.

We use cookies to help improve our services, make personal offers, and enhance your experience. If you do not accept these optional cookies your experience may be affected. If you want to know more, please read the Cookies Policy.